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ON THE

REFUTATION OF CALVINISM,

BY GEORGE TOMLINE, D.D. F.R.S.

LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN, AND DEAN OF ST. paul's, London.

BY THOMAS SCOTT,

RECTOR OF ASTON SANDFORD, BUCKS.

"Be ready always to give an answer to every man, that asketh you a
"reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." 1 Pet. iii. 15.

Take special care, before you aim your shafts at Calvinism, that you
'know what is Calvinism, and what is not: that, in that mass of doctrine,
which it is of late become the fashion, to abuse under the name of Cal-
'vinism; you can distinguish with certainty, between that part, which is
⚫ nothing better than Calvinism, and that which belongs to our common
⚫ christianity, and the faith of the Reformed Churches.' Bp. Horseley.

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'Accusatio crimen desiderat, rem ut definiat, hominem ut notet, argu.
'mento probet, teste confirmet.' Cicero.

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M'Carty & Davis, printers.

PREFACE.

IT has been regretted by many pious persons, that the controversy, to which The Refutation' relates, has again been revived, and brought before the publick: but the author of these Remarks does not entirely concur in this feeling, or accord to the opinions which excite it. Veritas magna est, et prevalebit. It is true, that if the persons, whose principles are brought before the tribunal of the publick, in so energetick a manner, and by so high an authority, do not "take heed to themselves;" they may very easily both raise a tempest of acrimonious controversy, and expose themselves and the common" cause to additional censure and reproach: but nothing is so unfavourable to the progress of genuine christianity, among mankind in general, nay, among the bulk of nominal christians, as a dead calm. Within the writer's remembrance, the Calvinists, especially the evangelical clergy, were so inconsiderable and neglected a company, that, except a declamation now and then in a visitation sermon, little publick notice was taken of them. But now, it seems, they are become so numerous and successful, that, unless more decided measures be adopted, there is danger lest "all the world should go after "them." And "in this I do rejoice, yea, and will " rejoice."

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